PRESENTATION TO MR J. X

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9355, 20 February 1892, Page 2 (Supplement)

PRESENTATION TO MR J. X

WARBURTON.

The officials of the Post and Telegraph depart ment assembled in one of their large rooms last Monday morning, and on their behalf the Hon. J. 6. Ward, Postmastev-general, presented Mr James K. Warburton, who fov many years' occupied the position of Controller and Accountant, but is now Public Trustee, with a token of their esteem in the shape of several articles of plate. The Premier and the Colonial Secretary were also present.

Mr R. J. Goodman, chief clerk, explained the object of the meeting, and in the course of his remarks said the response made by the whole service had been so hearty that the conunittee had experienced no trouble whatever in bringing their labours to a satisfactory-issue. He asked Mr Ward to make the presentation. The Postmaster - general said ~he and his colleagues viewed, in the first instance, with some regret tho departure of Mr Warburton from the great department in which he had for so many years —28, he believed—taken such a distinguished arid active part. They were, however, pleased to know that while lie was leaving one branch of the public service he was going to take charge of another which _ before long would be one of the most important in the State, and he (Mr Ward) felt that in his uew sphere Mr Warburton would act with the same conspicuous ability as he had done while connected with the Post and Telegraph department. —(Applause.) The Postmaster-general quoted figures showing the wonderful expansion of the business transacted by the department between 18(52, when Mr Warburton joiued it, and the year 1891, when he left. When Mr Warburton took office the combined revenues amounted to only L23,11l a year, and when he severed his connection the total revenue was L 335.325) per annum, an increase of L 312.218 as compared with his first year. Mr Ward went on to say that in all young countries, in the building up of a great departmont, such as the Post and Telegraph, one of the most important branches was the accountant's, and he thought he was only doing bare justice when he said that Mr Warburton, with a rare spark of genius, and of course assisted by those with whom he had been associated, had inaugurated a system of accounts which every country in the world might well be proud of.— (Applause.) There were, he felt, none in the department who would deny to Mr Warburton the tribute which he (Mr Ward) had endeavoured to express, and all would join with him in wishing Mr Warburton a long period of usefulness and reat success in his new career. He would only add that he and all those who were present would express the hope that Mr Warburton would long receive the blessing of good health to enable him to discharge the important duties of his new office. On behalf of the subscribers he asked Mr Warburton to accept the pieces of plate on the table as a token of their regard.—(Applause.)

Mr Warburton, who was veiy much affected, said he sincerely thanked the donors for the testimony of their satisfaction with one of themselves who had been selected for the high preferment that had been conferred upon him. He felt that they imposed upon him the obligation to do credit to them and to the Government in its choice of Mm. If he were able to speak he could ill express hissense of the honour that had been done him in this testimony of the good feeling now shown to him. Whatever his reputation might have been, or the merit of the work he had done, he owed it principally to tho appreciation of his fellow officials. He owed whatever success he had .gained to the fact that during 30 years they had encouraged him to make his best efforts, and their continued encouragement would be his greatest support in the future. Mr Warburton complimented Mr Ward upon attention to the grievances of the officials, and for the efforts which the hon. gentleman had made to redress those grievances. Mr Ward, he said, had turned a spirit that might be called mutinous into one of great affection, and had added strength instead of weakness, and whatever the hon. gentleman's politics might be they should always feel under an obligation to him.—(Applause.) He thought it was pleasing that one so honoured amongst them should have been selected to represent them in this matter.— (Applause.) ■

The Premier and Colonial Secretary also addressed those present, referring in complimentary terms to Mr Warburton's services. Three cheers for Mr Warburton and the Ministers brought the proceedings to a close.